Nob Hill Toasts the California Mille
15 April 1999
Nob Hill Toasts the California Mille; A Street Party Celebrating The Rare Sports Cars of the California Mille
SAN FRANCISCO--April 14, 1999--On April 25 from 4 to 6 p.m., the public can experience the excitement of vintage sports cars at "Nob Hill Toasts the California Mille."Sponsored by the Fairmont Hotel, the outdoor reception will showcase 75 rare sports racing and production cars dating from 1927 through 1957 which will tour Northern California in the prestigious California Mille.
Highlighting this year's event is an additional display of spectacular cars spanning the lifetime of the Fairmont Hotel from 1907 to today. Selected from the local community, these cars represent "92 Years of San Francisco Style" and commemorate the current restoration program of the landmark hotel.
In addition to the unique display of cars along Mason, California and Sacramento streets, guests will enjoy wine and spirits, sumptuous hors d'oeuvres by Executive Chef Peter Sherlock and musical entertainment. Marking the airline's first year of participation in the California Mille, Virgin Atlantic Airways has graciously donated two round-trip tickets to London to be raffled at reception and another two tickets to be awarded to the most stylish car of the California Mille. Other sponsors of the world-class auto event include Jaguar Cars North America and Pearl Vodka.
Throughout the afternoon, Sid Colberg of Concours de Elegance fame will announce the cars and drivers of the California Mille.
The event will benefit the Nob Hill Association which serves to preserve and enhance historic Huntington Park. Tickets are $35 per person in advance and $45 at the door. They can be reserved by calling 415/772-5211.
CALIFORNIA MILLE
At precisely 7:30 a.m. on April 26, the Italian flag will drop to commence the ninth annual running of the California Mille. The 180 participants, including the drivers, their navigators, mechanics and a California Highway Patrol escort, will embark on a four-day journey across 1000 miles of California back roads -- beginning from atop Nob Hill, across the Golden Gate Bridge, through the Wine Country and north to Redding.
On day two, the drivers will travel from Redding north through the Trinity Alps almost reaching the Oregon border. They will then turn south along the Klamath River and return to Eureka. The next day, they journey from Eureka to Ferndale and the Lost Coast to Little River. Day four promises a scenic trek from Little River proceeding down the coast crossing to The Geysers and onto Yountville for the finish.
The California Mille is patterned after the world-famous Italian Mille Miglia, the legendary 1,000-mile open road race from Brescia to Rome and back. Although the Mille Miglia originally ran from 1927 through 1957, it was revived as an annual event in 1982. Today, the California Mille is the only U.S. event to be recognized by the Mille Miglia Storica (Historical Society) of Brescia.
The California Mille unites rare and very valuable cars from across the globe. This year's collection ranges from pre-war Alfa Romeos to post-war Ferraris and includes a bountiful array of Jaguars, Porsches and other renowned sporting cars. Drivers from Europe, South America, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and many cities across the United States will participate in this celebrated tour of cars.
Martin Swig, an avid historic car racer, is the organizer of the California Mille and was the sole American entrant in the Mille Miglia in 1982. Event sponsors include Jaguar Cars North America, Automobilia Motor Book & Model Shop, the Fairmont Hotel, Virgin Atlantic, Momo Design Watches, Grundy Collector Car Insurance, McCaffery International Car Shippers, and Meguiars Car Care Products. The Fairmont Hotel is located atop Nob Hill at 950 Mason Street.
Note to Editors: Excellent Photo and Interview Opportunity.
